US1619023A - Boot or shoe, composite sole therefor, and method of manufacturing same - Google Patents

Description

March 1,1927. ,619,023

8. F. HARTWELL BOOT OR SHOE, COMPOSITE SOLE THEREFOR, AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SAME Filed May 27, 1926 V//////////// ///////////////z 55' /III/l/II/l/l/l/l/ll/l/ll/z Patented Mar. 1, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT. OFFICE.

BENJAMIN F. IIARTWELL, OF WINCHESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

BOOT OR SHOE, COMPOSITE SOLE THEREFOR, AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SAME.

Application filed May 27,

My present invention relates to a novel and improved method of manufacturing boots and shoes, a composite sole for use therewith, and the boots and shoes made thereby, and is a continuation in part of my prior and copending application Ser. No. 79,992, filed January 8, 1926.

In manufacturing boots and shoes, it is desirable to have a shoe structure with great flexibility in the sole, combined with wear resisting qualities throughout, particularly at the toe. In carrying out my invention I may utilize any of the well-known types of rubber or rubber-like compounds or compositions, including raw, crepe or latex rubber, or combinations of the same, to form a wear resisting and flexible layer of suitable thickness to constitute the outsole of the shoe. A difliculty heretofore experienced in the use of crepe or latex rubber for outsoles, however, has been the tendency of this rubber to break away at the toe portion, becoming ragged, exposing the otherwise concealed stitching, permitting the entrance of water to rot same, and the like disadvantages. In order to overcome this difliculty, I provide one of the sole members of my novel composite sole, preferably the sole member provided for its toughness and relative rigidity, such as rubber fiber or the like composition, although I may use leather or other materials if desired, with a reinforcing toe piece, preferably of the same material as the sole member of which it is a part or to which it is secured. This toe piece, being tough and relatively rigid, withstands the wear at the toe of the shoe much better than the crepe rubber, and results in a longer lived, neater and more attractive shoe structure, not wearing rough at the toe edges as does crepe rubber.

' Furthermore, by utilizing my present novel details of construction, I am enabled to satisfactorily join crepe rubber and rubber fiber or other rubber-like compositions, to form an outsole with the advantages of each,

that is, with the wear resisting and tread qualities of crepe rubber, and the toughness and relative rigidity of the rubber fiber or composition, coupled with the indestructibility of the solid toe piece and wear resistance of the same.

Further features of the invention, details 1926. Serial No. 112,156.

and advantages will be hereinafter more fully pointed out and claimed.

Referring to the drawings, illustrating a preferred embodiment of my invention,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of my invention applied to a welt shoe;

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the same;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view on the line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a similar cross-sectional view illgstrating application to a McKay shoe; an

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary detail'of the toe.

sole member 52, and preferably formed integral therewith, is a toe piece 53, beveled at 54:, as shown. Secured to the sole member 52 in any suitable manner, and prior to attachment to the welt, is a midsole 55, preferably of crepe rubber. This midsole 55 is attachedto the sole member 52 throughout its entire length rearwardly of the toe piece 53. With the composite sole thus described attached to the shoe. preferably by stitching 56, which extends through the toe piece 53 and through the midsole 55 and sole member 52 entirely and completely around the welt, an outsole 57, preferably of the same material as the midsole 55, is applied, and attached to the midsole 55 in any desirable manner, preferably by coating the contacting surfaces of the two crepe rubber sole members with a suitable solvent, such as benzol, and uniting the same under pressure, or heat and pressure, whereby a homogeneous, unified sole member is produced throughout the entire length of the shoe, and no mechanical fastenings visible excepting at the toe piece 53, where the stitching is exposed. This outer sole'57 extends from the toe piece rear- ;jwardly to the end of the shoe, and may, and preferably does, have a heel 58 formed in tegral therewith. One end of the outer sole 57 is beveled, so that in attaching the same to the midsole, this beveled end of the outsole 57 under the beveled edge 54 of the toe piece forms a tight joint therewith, and one which will not be affected by the flexing of the sole in walking, and which will be firmly secured in position. In this present modification I have all the advantages of an entire sole and heel of crepe rubber, which are well known, together with the extremely advantageous feature of a solid toe piece of wear resisting material, and one which will stand the send and wear of walking, without pulling apart, as is liable to happen when the crepe rubber sole is carried to the full front of the shoe.

Figs. 3 and at illustrate in cross-sectional detail, the methods of attachment to welt and McKay shoes respectively. In Fig. 3 is illustrated the member 50, insole 60 and welt 51, united by inseam stitching 61, with the sole. member 52 and midsole 55 secured to the welt by welt stitching 56, which welt stitching is carried completely around and through the toe piece 53. The outer or tread sole 57 is also shown in position to be attached to the midsole 55.

Fig. 4 illustrates the member 70 of a Mc- Kay shoe, having an insole 71, both united to the sole member 52 and midsole 55 by through and through stitching 72, and also shows the outer or tread sole member 57 in position for attachment as above described. Fig. 5 illustrates, in fragmentary detail, the toe piece 53 as a separate unit, secured to the sole member 52 in any desired way, as by first cementing the same, and afterwards by the stitching 56 uniting the composite sole to the welt 51.

The importance and advantages of the shoe construction, and novel composite sole as above described, will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, as will the advantageous features of composite soles, with the strength and relative rigidity of a rubber fiber, vulcanized rubber, or composition sole, and the resiliency and flexibility of the crepe rubber on the tread surface, coupled with the indestructibility of the toe piece and wear resistance of the same.

lviy invention is further described and defined in the form of claims as follows:

1. A composite sole, comprising a layer of rubber or rubber composition having a beveled reinforcing toe piece, a relatively thin midsole of crepe rubber adhered to said layer, and a crepe rubber outsole unified with said crepe rubber midsole, one end of the outsole being beveled to cooperate with the beveled end of the toe piece.

2. A composite sole, comprising a layer of rubber or rubber composition, a beveled toe piece attached thereto, a relatively thin midsole of crepe rubber adhered to said layer, and a crepe rubber outsole unified with said crepe rubber midsole, one end of the outsole being beveled to cooperate with the beveled end of the toe piece.

3. The improved process of making boots and shoes which consists in first assembling an insole and upper materials on a last, lasting the shoe, then applying a midsole of crepe rubber to a layer of rubber or rubber composition having a reinforcing toe piece, which is bevelled inwardly at its rearmost edge, attaching this composite sole to the shoe by mechanical fastening means entirely around the periphery of the composite sole, then beveling an outsole of crepe rubber with a unitary heel thereon, and adhering the cutsole to the midsole, with the beveled faces of the toe piece and crepe rubber outsole cooperating to form a strong even joint, said outsole concealing and protecting the mechanical fastenings in the midsole, removing the last and completing the shoe.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

BENJAMIN F. HARTWELL.

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